Over the past year and one half since my Little Lady’s passing, I have had many, many, many, comments and concerns about my period of supposed grieving. Some came by email, some by phone, some by mail, and many more verbally on the street or while shopping. This was further accented with the more recent passing of my brother. It has come to the point where I am now getting the feeling that I am a victim of my own popularity. There comes a time when enough is enough.
I must admit that I do not grieve or feel sorry for myself, or for them, as most seem to think is the norm. Death is ultimately part of life, and I believe not in keeping a body alive when the quality of life no longer exists. The natural law never intended this. I will not miss my brother, as much as perhaps I should, for he and I lived two separate lives.
But I must say that I do miss my Little Lady very much, for she was a very fun person to live with, and her demands were few and simple. She loved the natural world and all the things it had to offer. She was not afraid of death nor was she afraid of God. When once asked by a clergy – who dropped in uninvited and unknown to us, after the obvious little canned spiel – if we had made our peace with God, she glanced at me with a well known humourous gleam in her eye, so I answered, as she knew I would, the question, with a question. Why should we make peace with God, for with our God, we have never quarrelled? The befuddled look, no answer, and quick departure was the last little silent chuckle that we had together.
The 52 years that we were together were filled with many memories, both good and not so good. From these I seek solace, draw happiness, strength, and thanks; which gets me through each and every moment of each and every day. Most of you readers are probably not aware that she was on oxygen for the last four years, and during that time I gradually became chief cook, bottle washer, and 24/7 care giver. I regret not one moment of this time, for it allowed her to teach me well how to look after myself, leaving me with no problem in so doing.
And yes, I lost the last of my brothers, leaving only me and my sister, Shirley, from a family of nine siblings. But life goes on. If I need help with anything, I just ask someone from our circle of friends, of which we have many. The only time a second phone call is necessary is when they, themselves have a doctor’s appointment. I want for little and my needs are few. Life is good. Thanks to all of you who are deeply concerned. You know who you are, so consider yourselves hugged by both me and she, my Little Lady.
Now, before I prattle myself out of space once again let me keep the promise that I last week gave and I hope you have already marked the dates on your calendar as I have, back then, suggested. The first is: a Christmas Book Fair, Nov. 22, noon to 4pm, at Cherry Hill Entertainment, Fergus Marketplace, 125 Queen Street West, Fergus. Refreshments provided courtesy of Cherry Hill Entertainment. A donation from IAIC (Independent Authors and Illustrators of Canada) of which I am a founding member, will be made to the Wellington County Learning Centre, which promotes literacy throughout the county.
The second is what we have tagged as Literary Works & Musical Interludes. Dec. 7 from 9:30am to 4:30pm at the Fergus Grand Theatre, 244 St. Andrews Street West. This is sponsored in part by Roxanne’s Reflections Book & Card Shop and The Wellington Advertiser in support of the local arts community. An item for the local food bank gets you in the door and there will be goodies and refreshments to tantalize your taste buds. For entertainment there will be book readings and guest singers and musicians. This is going to be a fun interactive day. Come and meet some of your local authors and musicians.
This is a chance to economically shorten your Christmas list. Books and CDs will be offered. I’m looking forward to seeing a bunch of you there.
Take care, ‘cause we care.
Email barrie@barriehopkins.ca or call 519-843-4544.